A season that started with so much promise and a top 10 ranking unraveled quickly in Tallahassee, and now Mike Norvell is making significant changes heading into a bye week after a 1-9 start.
The program announced that offensive coordinator. / offensive line coach Alex Atkins as well as defensive coordinator Adam Fuller are being relieved of their duties.
Also, wide receivers coach Ron Dugans has been let go.
Atkins had been a part of Norvell's staff the entire time in Tallahassee, being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022 following the departure of Kenny Dillingham to Oregon for the same role.
The second-year FSU playcaller signed a contract extension this past off season set to make $1.3 million next fall and $1.4 million in 2026 so should be due $2.7 million by the school. However, Atkins was also part of an NCAA investigation for NIL-related violations and he served a three-game suspension earlier this year as a result, so it's unclear at this time if that will serve as just cause for the termination.
Following their 52-3 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday, the Seminoles ranked dead last in college football in points scored per game at just over 13. The Seminoles also ranked 115th nationally in stopping the run and 120th in 3rd down conversion defense.
Fuller had been the team's defensive coordinator since 2019, and was in his fifth season leading the team's defensive efforts. This fall they ranked 101st nationally in scoring defense, giving up nearly 30 points per game.
Steve Berkowitz shares that the buyouts will be as follows:
- DC Adam Fuller ($4.625 million)
- OC / OL Alex Atikins ($3.1 million)
- WRs Ron Dugans ($800k)
All coaches have duty to mitigate with Florida State entitled to offset.
There are two games remaining for the Seminoles, and co-defensive coordinator / linebackers coach Randy Shannon will assume the defensive play calling responsibilities.
The Seminoles have a bye week this week and will host Charleston Southern next week. Their season finale is set for November 30th against Florida.
The moves come less than a year after the Seminoles were controversially left out of the four-team College Football Playoff.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.